Health Checks (Nose To Tail)

Question 1

What are the 9 steps to a health check?

Answer 1

1) observe from the distance
2) check eyes
3) check mouth
4) check ears
5) check body
6) check BCS
7) check parasites
8) check legs and feet
9) check anus and genitals

Question 2

What are signs of ill health within the eyes

Answer 2

Cataract, swelling and discharge. Could be signs of conjunctivitis or infection

Question 3

What are signs of ill health in the nose?

Answer 3

Discharge and cuts. Could be signs of infection

Question 4

What are signs of ill health in the mouth?

Answer 4

Build up of plaque and whiteness to gums. Overgrown teeth

Question 5

What issues could be wrong in the mouth?

Answer 5

White gums = internal bleeding, anaemia or cancer
Yellow gums= jaundice
Red gums= overheating or gingivitis
Blue gums= respiratory distress or heart failure

Question 6

What are signs of ill health in the ears?

Answer 6

Discharge and wounds. Could be canker

Question 7

What are signs of ill health on the body?

Answer 7

Dull, dirty and patches missing on coat

Question 8

What are signs of ill health on the BCS chart?

Answer 8

1= severely underweight
2= slightly underweight
3= average
4= slightly overweight
5= severely overweight

Question 9

What are signs of parasites?

Answer 9

Eggs, tics or bites

Question 10

What are signs of ill health within the legs and feet?

Answer 10

Swelling and overgrown nails, granulomas and broken bones. Could be bumblefoot.

Question 11

What are signs of ill health within the anus and genitals?

Answer 11

Diarrhoea stuck in fur. Can lead to maggots and flies which causes infection.

Question 12

How often should you complete a visual health check?

Answer 12

Daily

Question 13

How often should you complete a physical health check?

Answer 13

Weekly

Question 14

How often should you do a weight, check teeth and temperature pulse respiration (TPR) check?

Answer 14

Monthly